I'm hoping by posting this in public will keep me from buying stuff I don't need/don't have room for ...Like to keep it minimalist-ish.
Have OH, 4 man tent (plus smaller for offgrid, Scotland), kayak, wetsuits, all camping kit I need. And the last - final? - was just a portable folding firepit (have good excuse as good for atmosphere and midge deterrent). Done. Unless something breaks or I have a genuine need. I just have no more room in a hatchback.
No, I don't need roofbars and a rigid kayak (would love), SUP, better stove than my current briefcase ...
So tempting, especially in sales this time of year.
I achieved my tent set up nirvana with my 5th tent, be through the route of roof box then a small leisure trailer, changing/upgrading my gears so that I could camp throughout the year etc., and did not buy anything for about 2 years.
Then I decided it was time to switch unit from a tent to a custom-converted panel van conversion to my own design and specifications, which involved plenty of gear sourcing and buying!
Just bought a skirt for the van so as to block the view from the dog as he is reactive. Hopefully, that will be last, famous last words I know!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
An alternative “problem”. We’re still using the folding chairs we got for tent camping, oh, 30 years ago. We’d actually like to replace them as they look tatty. The ones we finally bought have the same height to sit on with long legs, wide enough for mature bums, a frame that won’t sink into the grass or dig into the thighs. Result! But they fold down to twice the thickness, so they stay at home with the tags still on as there’s no room in the skirt locker for them. OH didn’t keep the receipt, of course.
Most certainly G.A.S. I used to go camping with everything I needed in the car. Now I have a trailer but I can't hear the trailer indicator repeater bleeping in the boot.
------------- Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.
You really must get a better stove, either a light weight hike camping stove or a proper regulated gas double burner stove, remembering that propane works better in cold weather.
Quote: Originally posted by starcraft on 30/8/2022
Most certainly G.A.S. I used to go camping with everything I needed in the car. Now I have a trailer but I can't hear the trailer indicator repeater bleeping in the boot.
I'm not sure modern towbars are fitted with the indicator beeps? The last two I have had didn't have them. Thank goodness for that, I thought, as the beeps used to provoke a howl of protest from the dog I had at the time....
Anyway, that's off-topic somewhat. Gear, yes, if I hadn't kept changing kit I could have probably saved enough money by now to buy myself a new unit!
Speaking of kit, I am about to look for a ceramic fan heater as the weather is eventually cooling down. I tried camping with a small oil-filled radiator but on a scale of usefulness, 1 - 10, I'd rank that - 5... I ended up getting into my sleeping bag fully clothed.
Need some new pegs too. I like the rock pegs and had lots with the plastic tops, but they break off after a very short time so I think I need to get some of the 'T' bar nail type.
I'm sure I shall find some other kit to buy whilst at the camping shop.
A large, sturdy umbrella perhaps, in case of inclement weather. I have gone through numerous small, folding ones, which, whilst being a handy size for storage, blow inside out at the first suggestion of wind. Useless articles.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 07/9/2022
You really must get a better stove, either a light weight hike camping stove or a proper regulated gas double burner stove, remembering that propane works better in cold weather.
Well, that's what I'm trying to avoid The briefcase though limited suits my needs and also I hate getting rid of stuff that is working well, even though I do have the odd wobble. I'm a bit of a make do and mend camper rather than an upgrader once I got the basis sorted. Must admit I spent far too much money finding comfortable chairs, what an annoying saga that was. Charity shops did well that year! So sorted. I'm trying to persuade the OH for a first camping trip to France, which could need an extra purchase or two, dunno. But you never know though when you might come across that must have...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Now that`s the last thing I buy!
via mobile 30/8/2022 at 10:27am
The briefcase though limited suits my needs and also I hate getting rid of stuff that is working well, even though I do have the odd wobble. I'm a bit of a make do and mend camper rather than an upgrader once I got the basis sorted. Must admit I spent far too much money finding comfortable chairs, what an annoying saga that was. Charity shops did well that year! So sorted. I'm trying to persuade the OH for a first camping trip to France, which could need an extra purchase or two, dunno. But you never know though when you might come across that must have...
